Specialist Education for Barking and Dagenham

Trinity School is a Local Authority maintained, all-through special school serving the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. We provide specialist education for pupils aged 3 to 19 with severe and profound learning difficulties and a wide range of associated complex needs.

Trinity was formed through the amalgamation of Castle, Faircross and Bentry Schools, coming together on the original Bentry site. While the school was originally built for 160 pupils, our provision has expanded in response to local need and now supports around 320 pupils, ensuring that children and young people with significant barriers to learning can access high-quality specialist education within their local community.

The school is organised into four distinct departments, each led by a phase leader with responsibility for the quality of education, inclusion and outcomes within their phase. Phase leaders are members of the Senior Leadership Team and work closely with two Deputy Headteachers and the Headteacher to ensure a coherent and consistent approach across the school. This structure supports clear accountability, strong leadership and effective oversight of provision.

Learning at Trinity is personalised, developmental and carefully sequenced to meet individual needs. Pupils’ Education, Health and Care Plan outcomes sit at the centre of curriculum planning, assessment and review, ensuring learning is meaningful and purposeful.

Primary

In Primary, the focus is on establishing the foundations for learning and development. Pupils are supported to develop early communication, learning behaviours, emotional regulation and positive relationships within a secure and nurturing environment that enables them to engage confidently with learning.

Secondary

In Secondary, pupils build on these foundations by developing greater independence, resilience and self-regulation. Learning focuses on deepening understanding, managing relationships and applying skills across a range of contexts, supporting sustained progress over time.

Further Education Centre (FEC Post 16)

This progression continues into the Further Education Centre provision, where learning is focused on preparation for adulthood. Pupils are supported to apply their skills in real-life contexts, develop independence and confidence, and work towards the highest possible levels of personal achievement and fulfilment beyond school.

Living and Learning Centre (LLC)

For pupils who require the highest levels of personalised support, Trinity provides targeted provision through the Highly Specialist Behaviour Team within the Living and Learning Centre, which operates as an Additional Resource Provision. This setting offers highly individualised programmes, structured environments and consistent adult support to reduce barriers to learning, promote positive engagement and enable pupils to make meaningful progress.

Across all phases, Trinity works closely with families, multi-disciplinary professionals and key stakeholders to ensure provision is coordinated, responsive and continually adapted to meet pupils’ needs, securing the best possible outcomes for every child and young person.